Week 29 of my 52 books in 52 weeks project had me reading two books (make-up for having missed a week on vacation). Book A is The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, a debut Australian author who's making quite the splash with this novel, and deservedly so.
The Rosie Project is about Don Tillman, a 39-year-old genetics professor who is clearly positioned somewhere along the autism spectrum -- Asperger's seems the likely diagnosis -- who sets himself a project: find a wife. He sets about this scientifically, of course, that is until Rosie (pretty much the opposite of the woman he is looking for through his Wife Questionnaire) is thrown in his path by his best friend. As they become friends, The Wife Project turns into The Rosie Project: a search for Rosie's biological father.
Funny, isn't it, how sometimes a description does so little to capture a book? Because while that is an accurate description of the plot, and the plot is good and well-paced and keeps us guessing (mostly) till the end, it's not really the plot that counts with this book, it's the voice. Don Tillman's voice, as written by Simsion, which is at once both naive and prescient, insightful and divorced from reality.
I found this book delightful, and though it reminded me in ways of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (which you should absolutely read if you haven't), as well as more recent works like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Silver Linings Playbook, these were not unpleasant reminders. I enjoyed all of these books, and they each stand on their own. Whether your reading pile is full or not, add this one to it.
Coming soon: Part B -- my review of Joyland by Stephen King. In the meantime, week 30's book is We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler, which has been getting fabulous (deserved) reviews, and which should be on your reading list (and a bestseller list).